Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon on Thursday and both sides traded accusations of violating a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France that took effect just a day earlier, highlighting the fragility of the agreement aimed at ending more than a year of cross-border hostilities.
The Israeli air force struck what it described as a Hezbollah facility storing mid-range rockets near Baysariyah, north of the Litani River, marking the first airstrike since the truce began. Israeli tank fire also hit five towns within 2 kilometers of the Blue Line border, wounding at least two people, according to Lebanese security sources.
“Any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire,” IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later directed the military to prepare for “intense fighting” if the ceasefire breaks down.
Hezbollah, which has been weakened by casualties and the killing of its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said its fighters “remain fully equipped to deal with the aspirations and assaults of the Israeli enemy” with their “hands on the trigger.” Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused Israel of attacking “those returning to border villages.”
The 60-day ceasefire agreement requires unauthorized military facilities south of the Litani River to be dismantled. Israeli forces have up to 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, where their troops remain stationed within Lebanese territory. Surveillance drones continue to fly over the region as displaced Lebanese families attempt to return to check their properties.
The conflict has taken a significant toll since October 2023, with Lebanese health ministry figures showing 3,961 deaths and 16,520 injuries from Israeli strikes. On the Israeli side, 45 civilians and 73 soldiers have been killed by Hezbollah strikes.
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